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In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director for Informa Connect's Wealth Management Group, talks with Brent Brodeski, CEO and founder of Savant, about laying a foundation for long-term success by attracting top talent good and keeping in touch with customers. ' changing expectations. Brodeski warns against the dangers of stagnation, advocating a balance between customer service and expansion.

Specifically, David and Brent discuss:

• What many firms mistake for “growth”.
• What 2023 would mean for Savant after it acquired nine RIAs and two accounting firms, and what those deals say about the firm's national ambitions.
• How he doesn't see deals as “big fish gobbling up smaller fish,” but instead looks to partner with specialty firms that see the benefits of scale while being excited — and driven — to add to the company's growth story. the firm.
• How does he balance a commitment to employee equity with the recent investment from middle market private equity investors Kelso & Co.
• Why the firm made its latest investment in Australian fintech firm Lumiant, what does it say about where it thinks the industry is going, and why it expects them to make more such investments in the future.

Sources:

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About our guest:

Brent is the CEO and founder of Savant. He has been involved in the financial services industry since 1988 and previously taught investment and finance courses at Rock Valley College, Rockford University and Northern Illinois University. Brent earned a bachelor of science degree in finance and economics and a master of business administration degree with an emphasis in accounting from NIU. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a Certified FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, and a Certified Financial Analyst® (CFA®).

Brent is a co-founder and past president of Zero Alpha Group (ZAG), an industry association. He is also a co-founder of the Alliance for RIAs (aRIA), a prestigious industry group. Brent was a long-time contributor to Vistage (formerly known as TEC) and The Strategic Coach™. He is currently a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and serves on the boards of the Northern Illinois University Foundation and the Rock Valley College Foundation.